Last updated: June 2, 2025
In the sun-kissed region of Salima, Malawi, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding the levels of UV exposure throughout the day—especially when they peak around midday—is essential to help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. With Salima's Aw climate, which features warm temperatures and significant sunlight, residents and visitors must stay informed about UV risks to enjoy outdoor activities safely. Keep an eye on the UV Index to ensure your skin remains healthy while soaking up the sunshine!
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, the UV Index reaches its peak during midday, showcasing a striking pattern in the hourly data. Starting at a modest 1 by 07:00, it gradually escalates, hitting 2 by 08:00. The intensity continues to rise, peaking at a formidable 9 by both 11:00 and 12:00—a clear invitation to slather on the sunscreen! As the afternoon progresses, the index begins to decline, dropping to 7 at 13:00, and gently tapering off to 3 by 15:00. By late afternoon and into the evening, the UV threat recedes, plummeting to 1 at 16:00, and finally fading into 0 from 18:00 onward. This hourly journey underscores the importance of sun safety at its zenith!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure remains extremely high in the early months, with a consistent UV Index of 16 from January to March, resulting in a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. As spring approaches, the UV Index decreases slightly but stays significant, dropping to 14 in April and 11 in May. The summer months of June and July see a slight moderation to a very high UV Index of 9, extending the burn time to 15 minutes. However, UV levels spike back to 11 in August and range from 13 to 14 from September to November, maintaining a high risk for sunburn, with burn times reverting to 10 minutes. In December, the UV Index rises again to 15, continuing the trend of high UV exposure. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take necessary precautions during these high-risk months, including using broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of harmful UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blantyre UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| Zomba UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
| Salima | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Lilongwe UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Mzuzu UVI | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Kasungu UVI | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 |